2015 Motorcycle SpringShow coming March 21-22

Actor Kim Coates from the Sons of Anarchy will headline the springtime motorcycle season opener at the Toronto International Centre.

Kim Coates, supplied photo

Kim, known as Alex 'Tig' Trager in the SOA tv series, stars as the Vice-President and former Sergeant-at-Arms in the violent action crime drama about a California Motorcycle Club and he will be at the show on both days to meet fans and sign autographs.

Fantastic custom bikes will compete in the Showbike Builders Competition for over $20,000 in prizes. "Three Levels of Competition even out the playing field, with top prizes awarded to those in the Pro Builders Class (Level 3), which this year will be judged by renowed builder, Bob McKay, and his judging team. The top bike in Pro Builders will walk away with over $5,000 in cash and a 6 foot trophy! The regular competition level (Level 2) has more classes than ever with multiple sub-classes in Vintage, Touring, Street, Custom, Competition and Special Interest.SPRINGSHOW 2015 will showcase these bikes in Hall 1 where you’ll be dazzled by their elaborate displays and special effects. Take the time to look at the detail that goes into some of these custom creations and feel free to ask the builders about them. Don’t forget to bring your camera!" You can also visit the bikes of the century display and the entertainment stages.

This years Toronto International Spring Motorcycle Show is the 25th Anniversary and takes place in halls 1 and 2 in the centre and will feature a new Motorcycle Pickers Market which Peter Derry, Show Manager, tells us that "We became aware of a sudden need for a venue for these vendors to sell their stockpiles of used parts. We know that our audience is looking for this 'impossible to find' stuff and have created a dedicated area where they can pick through the vast selection to their heart's content."

Joining the vendors market will be the Manufacturer and Dealer displays of 2015 motorcycles along with earlier models, aftermarket accessories, clothing and gear. And don't forget the free parking. If the main centre lots are full you can also go to the GO train parking lot across the tracks.

Winter scenes in Ontario

If you can't beat winter, you might as well enjoy the frigid season with some outdoor fun. I think there are only three things you can do in our great province when the temperature plummets; ski (includes ski-doo), snowshoe or ice fish. That's it, nothing else until spring comes. Or you can stay indoors and visit some upcoming shows in March 2015 like the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo or the Toronto Motorcycle Springshow.

Visiting the Barrie area we found the ice thickness on Lake Simcoe to be about two feet and fishermen were taking advantage of the weekend to setup their huts and tiny fishing rods. More and more of the huts are special fabric tents that include vents to allow for propane heating. Ice augers lie beside the huts and rods sit at attention at the small holes that lead down to the depths of the cold lake. Zipping around are ski-doos and quads running out from the shore to their favourite fishing spot. The temporary structures are spread across the lake like peppercorns on a new york striploin steak and continue as far as the eye can see. Sometimes brave souls fish without a tent or hut, just their gear against underwater prey and the elements.

Walking out from the public dock at Big Bay Point in Innisfil

People are parking on the ice or bringing their vehicles down to the edge and many of them get stuck in the snow, so be careful out their - especially when the ice starts to melt.

Earth spins around the sun on an art installation in Eldorado Park

Some leaves fail to fall to the ground in Autumns last gasp. The curled and browned leaves have already changed colour and then lost all colour and life. I wonder if they fight the new leaves when spring suns bring tender buds and the tree continues its growth after a winter hibernation?

Glass and plastic greenhouses help to extend Ontario's growing season and some areas have plenty of the see through buildings. Often the greenhouses fall into disrepair, like many barns collapsing in the countryside, and in winter the snow is conspicuously absent from missing glass panels.

It seems like a real life game of tetris 

Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo coming March 13-15

Update: See my photos of the 2015 show on my post here.

Cars, Cars, Cars! The 2015 Toronto @MotoramaShow brings together the Canadian Motorsports Expo powered by Inside Track Motorsport News, Custom Cars, Drag Racing, Classic Cars, Performance Improvements, MegaSpeed and a fire breathing jet truck. Race cars and their drivers will be a big part of the weekend events in Halls 1 and 2 in the Toronto International Centre.

MegaSpeed Marshalls

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCTS) will have a big presence at the show with 14 of the stock car drivers participating in the autograph sessions along with And NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Todd "The Onion" Bodine.

Alex Tagliani and Alex Nagy on stage for a Q&A

“This is always a terrific opportunity for us to connect with the fans, to teach people about the series, and let them see exactly what’s involved is racing at a professional level,” commented Alex Nagy, Director of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

Friday will be the second annual Drag Racing Night of Champions and Saturday will be the Short Track Night of Champions.

Celebrity Courtney Hansen, star of the automotive-themed PowerNation on Spike TV, NBC Sports and CBS Sports will be making appearances at several events throughout the show

Toronto Graffiti Management Plan wins national award

The City of Toronto won a Silver Award for leadership in Municipal Government for their successful and integrated approach to graffiti and street art in 2015. Presented by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and Deloitte to recognize outstanding leadership, innovation, collaboration and strategic thinking while improving public policy and management.

"The City's Graffiti Management Plan is an integrated approach to graffiti and street art that combines enforcement, removal and beautification through the StARToronto initiatives and improved co-ordination to support victims of graffiti vandalism and showcase street art and artists. The program is led by Transportation Services and Municipal Licensing and Standards in conjunction with the Toronto Police Service and community groups such as Business Improvement Areas, arts organizations and artists."

"Congratulations are in order for city staff, the police and the many community groups and artists involved in this great program," said Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "This award highlights a tremendous success story for the City of Toronto."

Women Riding Motorcycles

Liz Jansen's article in Fix shows that the increase in female drivers is driving change in powersports - check out the infographic.

 
Source: Fix.com 

#Toronto Charity Runs 2015

It's hard to be lonely when you are running with a thousand other people, so long distance athletes get ready for another year of running past the wall. In addition to marathons you can also check out some special events like the Underwear Affair, Walk and Mile In Her Shoes and Colour Me Rad. Sign up for the following events.

St Patricks Day 5K Run - (March)

Toronto Yonge Street 10k - (April)
Beaches Spring Sprint - (April)
Bum Run - (April)
CF Run Walk - SickKids and POGO (April)

Tweed Ride - Bikes Without Borders (Spring)
Goodlife Toronto Marathon - Princess Margaret Hospital (May)
Sporting Life 10k - Run for kids with cancer (May)
Toronto Women's Half Marathon - (May)
Walk of Life Walk/Run/Cycle - Cardiac Health (May)
Becel Heart and Stroke Ride for Heart - (May), get your bicycles ready
Colour Me Rad - (May)

Ride to Conquer Cancer - (June)
Gutsy Walk formerly Heel 'n' Wheel-a-thon - Crohn's and Colitis (June)
Pride and Remembrance Run - LGBTQ charities (June)
Scotiabank Rat Race - for United Way (June)
Walk Now for Autism - (June)
Mud Run - Canada's dirtiest trail run (June)
Toronto Triathlon - With a Festival (June)

Spartan Race Toronto - Obstacle course racing (July)
The Beaches Jazz Tune-Up Run/Walk - (July)
Jazz Run: The Beaches Tune Up - (July)

City Chase - (August)
Mud Hero - get down, get dirty 6km adventure featuring outrageous obstacles - (August)
Tough Mudder - (August)
Toronto Women's 10k  and 5k - (August)
A Midsummers Night's Run - for Sick Kids (August)

Sears Great Canadian Run - Toronto to Blue Mountain for kids cancers (September)
Terry Fox Run - Cancer (September)
Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes (September)
Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women's Cancer (September)
Longboat Toronto Island Run - Toronto's oldest (September)
Yorkville Run - YWCA Women's Shelters (September)
Toronto 5k - SickKids (September)
Oasis Zoo Run - Come run with the animals (September)
Island Girl Half Marathon - run with a tropical twist (September)

CIBC Run for the Cure - Breast Cancer (October)
Toronto Women's 8k and 5k - Women set the pace (October)
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - various charities (October)
Toronto Climb the Wind Turbine - North America's only wind turbine climb to save the planet (October)

Downsview Half Marathon - Through the old military base (November)

Toronto Santa Speedo Run (December)
The Santa Pur-suit (December)

And one of my favorites the Burlington Santa 5K Run (December)

There is also Polo for Heart - Heart and Stroke (June) and many golf tournaments around the city for charity so there are plenty of ways to get active or help others financially.

Fun things to do in #Toronto July & August 2015

Ohhhh, sweet baby James, summer is here and the living is easy. Things will be a little out of sorts during these months as the massive sports competition known as the Pan Am Games impacts a lot of the city and surrounding areas. Events like the Honda Indy Toronto moved away from their traditional dates to miss the Games.

Chin Picnic Canada Day long weekend Sat-Sun, June 27-28 and Wed, July 1. Including the famous bikini contest MOVED TO JUNE 19-21 DUE TO PAN AM GAMES! The picnic is June 20-21 and the bikini contest is now June 19 (7pm) at the Revival Lounge.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival Tue to Sun, July 7- Aug 7. King and Queen Show Thur, July 30. and the famous parade down by the lake on Sat, Aug 1.
Toronto Pan Am Games Torch Relay enters Toronto July 6 until the opening on July 10.
Toronto Pan Am Games 2015 Fri to Sun, July 10-26
Toronto Fringe Festival Wed to Sun, July 1-12.
Beaches Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, July 10-26.
Tim and Brenda's Cruise for the Cure Show and Shine in nearby Vaughan, Sunday, July 19.
Toronto International BrazilFest Sun July TBD. In Earlscourt Park.
Toronto Festival of Beer Fri to Sun, July 24-26. Hmmm, beer.
Live Green Toronto Sat July TBD. With free concerts in Yonge-Dundas Square.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival continues to Sun, Aug 7. With the famous parade down by the lake on Sat, Aug 1.
Toronto Parapan Am Games 2015 Fri to Sat, Aug 7-15.

Taste of the Danforth Fri to Sun, Aug 7-9.
Rogers Cup Womens Tennis Sat to Sun, Aug 8-16.
Canfitpro Consumer Fitness and Wellness Show Fri to Sat, Aug 14-15.
Wheels on the Danforth Fri to Sat, Aug 14-15.
Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri to Mon, Aug 21-Sept 7. Do you want to go faster? And don't forget the fantastic Canadian International Airshow.
Chinatown Festival Sat to Sun, Aug 22-23.

Importfest Saturday, Aug 22 - cars and girls at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Big on Bloor Festival Sat to Sun, Aug 22-23. Car free from Dufferin to Lansdowne.

Miss Sexy Car Wash Show and Shine  Sun, Aug TBD in Scarborough from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Go Topless Day protest in Toronto Sun, Aug 23. 12 pm to 4 pm at Hubbard Blvd and Hammersmith Ave.

Buskerfest Thurs to Sun, Aug 27-30. Street performers at their best - on Yonge Street.
Taiwan Fest Fri to Sun, Aug 28-30.
Aloha Toronto Festival Sun, Aug TBD.
2 Day Best of the Beach Coed Volleyball Sat to Sun, Aug TBD.

Toronto Zombie Walk Funeral and Wake Sat, Aug 29. 2pm at Trinity Bellwoods Park. Note: The annual Toronto Zombie Walk in October has been CANCELLED!
For USA and Airshow Fans: Thunder Over Michigan Sat to Sun, Aug 29-30.

Fan Expo Canada New Date Thurs to Sun, Sept 3-6. More costumes - that cosplay is great.

Fun things to do in #Toronto May & June 2015

Streets are alive with the sound of music, well more like blaring car horns, and the summer warmth is just starting to seep into your bones, melting the winter chill. Enjoy Toronto when the colours of spring make for glorious days full of fun activities, sight seeing and popular attractions.

Canadian Music Fest Fri to Sun, May 1-10.
World Naked Gardening Day Sat, May 2 (usually first weekend of May)
Toronto Marathon Sun, May 3.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival TCAF Sat to Sun, May 9-10.

Toronto Freedom Festival (Toronto's largest outdoor spring festival) with GMM  and Freedom Festival both Saturday and Sunday. Note: No permits means no festival but the march continues - gather at high noon Sat, May TBD at Queen's Park North, march begins at 2pm.

Toronto Roller Derby League.

Cherry Blossoms in Toronto - should happen May 9-22. Best views in High Park.
Castrol Presents the Victoria Day Speedfest at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Thurs to Sunday, May 14-17.

Toronto International Circus Festival Sat to Mon, May 16-18.

Anime North Fri to Sun, May 22-24.
Woofstock Sat to Sun, May TBD. Cute dogs in costumes at Woodbine Park in the Beach area.

Doors Open Toronto Sat to Sun, May 23-24. Chance to see things normally closed to public or attractions with no entrance fee.

2014 Miss Hooters Toronto Bikini Contest Tues, May TBD at the Downtown Hooters and Wed, May TBD at the Toronto Airport Hooters - doors open at 7pm. Cost is $10.

Colour Me Rad 5k Sat, May 30 in Downsview Park.

Toronto Pro SuperShow Sat to Sun, June 6-7.
Roncy Rocks in Roncesvalles Sat, June 6.

Honda Indy Toronto Fri to Sun, June 12-14. Moved into June due to the Pan Am Games.
Hope Volleyball Tournament Sat, June 13 on Toronto Islands. Charity volleyball bash/tournament.
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Sat to Sun, June 13-14
North By North East (NXNE) Music Festival Wed to Sun, June 17-21.

Luminato  Wed to Sun, June 19-28. Cool art installations.
Chin Picnic Canada Day long weekend Sat-Sun, June 27-28 and Wed, July 1. Including the famous bikini contest MOVED TO JUNE 19-21 DUE TO PAN AM GAMES! The picnic is June 20-21 and the bikini contest is now June 19 (7pm) at the Revival Lounge.

Great Heart Festival Thurs to Sun, June TBD.
Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Show Fri to Sun, June 19-21.
Woodbine Beach BBQ and Brews Festival Fri to Sun, June 19-21.
Taste of Little Italy Fri to Sun, June TBD.
World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) Sat, Jun 13. Right through downtown Toronto, nude. Meet at Coronation Park by noon, ride begins at 1pm.
Toronto edition of the Global Reddit Meetup in Trinity Bellwoods Sat, Jun TBD, starting at 2pm.
Bloorville Exotic Cars Sun, Jun TBD.
MuchMusic Video Awards 2013 Sun, Jun TBD.
Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival Thurs to Sat, Jun 18-20 at Sugar Beach.
Toronto Jazz Festival Thurs to Sat, Jun 18-29.

World Pride: Toronto Pride Week and Pride Parades Fri to Sun, June 19-28. The parades are things of colour and beauty: Trans March on Friday, Dyke March on Saturday and the Pride Parade on Sunday. The Street Festival on Church St is on during Pride Weekend.
Pride Parade, Sunday, June 28 Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road closed from Bayview Avenue to Park Road to accommodate the formation of the parade. Parade route: Starts at Church Street and Bloor Street East, goes west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to Dundas Street and back to the festival on Church Street. Roads will be closed for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.Redpath Waterfront Festival Fri to Sun, Jun 19-21.

Battle of Black Creek Re-enactment Sat to Sun, June 20-21.
OM T.O. Sun, June 21. Summer Solstice Yoga Classes in the Distillery District.
Dragon Boat Race Festival Sat to Sun, Jun 20-21.
Toronto Roller Derby League: Clam Slam Thurs, Jun 25. Part of the Pride Celebrations - love the name.
Digital Dreams Festival Sat to Sun, June 27-28.

Scotiabank CHIN Picnic on Canada Day weekend - Sat to Wed, Jun 27 - Jul 1. Fun in the sun at Exhibition Place. Miss CHIN Bikini Contest Saturday June 27 from noon to 2pm. Moved to June 19-21 due to Pan Am Games.
Canada Eve Fireworks Tue, June 30 (10:30pm-11:00pm).